TTUHSC Vision in Action

TTUHSC Community Members Demonstrate Innovation and Collaboration

• By Kate Gollahon
• November 23, 2020

The new vision at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) aims to transform health care through innovation and collaboration. The vision is not only about the biggest names in science and leadership—everyone plays a vital role.

Below are some of the individuals who have been recognized by others within the TTUHSC community for upholding the university’s values-based culture while shaping the future of health care for our institution. 

Incredible Contributions to research projects within the School of Health Professions

TTUHSC faculty member in Midland, Chanaka Kahathuduwa, M.D., Ph.D. is with the Midland Physician Assistant program. Kahathuduwa's research focuses primarily on studying neurophysiological mechanisms underlying human cognition and cognitive development.

Since January 1 2020, Kahathuduwa has contributed to over 33 collaborations of research and innovation. These collaborations, which focus on attention, concentration and learning outcomes as well as many other topics, display extraordinary dedication and innovative thinking that transform the future of health care.

Optimizing and developing the Electronic Health Records system for TTUHSC medical clinics

Steph Hoelscher, DNP, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS and Dwayne Hoelscher, DNP, RN-BC, CPHIMS took lessons learned from the Ebola and Zika viruses to transform EHR protocols for diagnosing infectious diseases.

Dwayne Hoelscher is a clinical application specialist at UMC Health System and Steph Hoelscher is an informatics nurse specialist and Associate Professor for the Graduate Informatics program at the School of Nursing at TTUHSC. Together, their collaborative efforts have impacted EHR systems and vendors on a national level, paving the way for a safer future both for West Texas and across the nation.

Directing the Mental Health Initiative at TTUHSC

Nancy Trevino, Ph.D., is the director of The Texas Tech Mental Health Initiative, which is a collaborative effort between TTUHSC and TTU. This initiative aims to bring awareness to mental health issues by connecting local partners, professionals and community members with the mental health support systems of the university.

These efforts will transform health care by providing clinics, research and training, establishing a more advanced understanding of the impact that mental illness has within the community.